Comments on: Go Go Gadget VCDX

By: What defines the Cloud - Private,Public or Hybrid?

What defines the Cloud - Private,Public or Hybrid? — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:18:45 +0000

[...] those geek ideas to various levels of the business the ideas will wither on the vine. As a VCDX (VMware Certified Design Expert) certification holder, I would have to agree. VMware has put a [...]

By: CloudCamp Chicago Asks "Do You Speak Cloud?" via @ChrisWahl | Wahl Network

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:00:20 +0000

By: Thinking About VCDX In 2013? The Schedule Is Published | Wahl Network

Thinking About VCDX In 2013? The Schedule Is Published | Wahl Network — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:00:59 +0000

[...] for those who passed the VCAP4-DCD and VCAP4-DCA and thought they missed out on the VCDX4 defense. My own defense was in this same boat – I provided a vSphere 5 design but participated in a VCDX4 defense, [...]

By: When Best Practices Go Bad, and Why | Wahl Network

When Best Practices Go Bad, and Why | Wahl Network — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:26:07 +0000

[...] Take the time to research your design decisions beyond the idea of “it’s a best practice”. Understand why it’s a best practice for your specific use case and functional requirement. This will lead to making wiser choices and having an open mind that is constantly trying to learn and evolve. I especially recommend and emphasize this for those who aspire for the VCDX. [...]

By: Chris Wahl

Chris Wahl — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:36:07 +0000

Reviewing the blueprint for the VCAP-DCD, I felt that past experience was enough to successfully pass the exam. While I have no specific tips on how to pass beyond experience with design, I believe there are many helpful sites from others to assist including a vBrownBag series on it:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Professionalvmware-Brownbags

By: metal

metal — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 06:36:37 +0000

Congrats Chris on achieving this feet.Now you are a part of an elite family of VCDX.

Also it would be helpful if you can throw some light in preparing for VCAP5 DCD so that it will help everyone wanting to achieve this feet in future as this would be the road-map.

By: Michael Webster

Michael Webster — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 08:13:51 +0000

Congratulations Chris. Great story of your journey. Glad you got a lot out of the bootcamp in San Francisco. I was fortunate enough to be one of the VCDX’s in the room and it was excellent to be able to support candidates that went on to be successful. We’re also going to be doing more bootcamps and more mentoring of study groups. It was also good to chat to you briefly in San Fran. Hopefully see you there next year at the VCDX party.

Surprised the room key slot got you. Mind you with 40 hours without sleep I don’t think I would have found it either. It’s normal for hotels outside the US to have the room key slots to activate the power. Finding them though is often the tricky part, especially when it’s completely dark.

Good luck to all the other candidates that are going to be defending at the upcoming VCDX defences at PEX and VMworld in 2013.

By: Angelo

Angelo — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:35:39 +0000

CONGRATS!!

Trying to follow your path Chris, but still have a way to go.

By: Chris Wahl

Chris Wahl — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:11:24 +0000

No worries Paul, I fixed it for you. Thanks for sharing

By: Paul Braren

Paul Braren — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:50:10 +0000

Oops, no way to edit previous comment typo, oh well. I can spell congratulations, honest!

I should probably add I was in Barcelona for a conference to show off blades and VMware, not nearly as exciting as your VCDX trip.

I used a spare Euro coin at the very last minute, to wedge under a intermittently-disconnecting FC switch, saving the day. Apparently the old, used, loaner gear didn’t much like the bumps getting off the elevator ride to the Barcelona convention center presentation room.

The whole experience was quite memorable, 40 mile an hour winds in February, at about 45 degrees F. And the ice cold Mediterranean water, I felt that I had to touch. Also recall that airport, and the long cab rides, and struggling to use my limited Spanish, with a cab driver that had no idea what I was trying to say. Such fun though, really.

Thanks again for the fun and informative article, a rare and powerful combination indeed.